POLICE believe a fire which caused more than &#xA3;100,000 damage at Congleton Borough Council's Alsager depot was started deliberately.

Three hundred wheelie bins, 50 trade skips and two refuse vehicles were destroyed in the blaze at the Brookhouse Lane depot on Sunday evening.

It took four Fire Service crews more than an hour to put out the blaze and damp down the site. Some damage was also caused to the neighbouring United Reformed Church when firefighters removed tiles from the roof to prevent the blaze spreading to the building.

DC Janet Pattinson said: 'The fire is believed to have been started maliciously.

'It had been started in the secure yard of the compound. It is unclear how entry to the yard has been gained.

'The fire destroyed a large covered area and numerous bins stored within it. The roof of this area has been extensively damaged.

'A window was also smashed at the premises, however, entry was not gained and nothing was stolen.

'The premises has been subject of a number of acts of vandalism in the last few weeks which range from glass smashed on the floor to store room windows being broken.'

The fire was reported shortly after 8pm. The bins and skips were under a 'lean to' which was so badly damaged it will have to be demolished.

Although a separate office block survived, the council's principal streetscape officer Alan Longshaw said it was the worst case of vandalism he had seen at the site.

He said: 'Ultimately, it is the Council Tax-payer who picks up the bill for vandalism.

'We have had a spate of incidents here. The offices were broken into last week and the conifer hedge at the back of the depot has been set alight before.

'The council will almost certainly have to increase the security at the depot, which will again divert money from our front line services.'

Mr Longshaw said it appeared vandals had climbed over a wall from the skate park behind the depot and over the offices before jumping into the yard. He warned services will be disrupted as a result.

He said: 'We have had to borrow a vehicle from Crewe and Nantwich and have hired other vehicles. But this is going to affect garden waste collection for a number of days.'

* Anyone with information about the fire should contact DC Janet Pattinson on 01244 613535.